Inuvik (Dec 02/05) - Junior high and high school students and staff set foot inside Samuel Hearne for the first time this school year Monday morning as the facility was deemed structurally sound and cleared for occupancy.

Since September, SHSS students have been taking their classes at several locations around town, including Aurora College and the curling rink at the Midnight Sun Recreation Centre, which was converted to classrooms.

The facility was closed just before classes for the 2005/06 school year were to start. The Department of Public Works said it could not guarantee the structural integrity of the school after an independent examination of the school's piling foundation by engineers. "It's nice to finally have all the students under one roof," said principal Dave Reid. "There's still some fine tuning to do, but we're pleased to be back."

Classes were postponed since Nov. 24 so teaching materials and furniture could be moved back to the school.

The return to SHSS was ahead of schedule, as public works minister Floyd Roland promised to have the school ready for students by the beginning of January 2006.

SHSS gymnasium remains closed, however, while work repairing its supporting pilings continues.